Combination ironing board, stepladder, and chair



May 11, 1954 J. M. SYKES COMBINATIONIRONING BOARD, STEPLADDER, AND CHAIR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 28, 1950 INVENTOR. JAMES W 8134/ ORNEYS May 11, 1954 J M KE' 2,678,084

COMBINATION IRONING BOARD, STEPLADDER, AND CHAIR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 28, 1950 INVENTOR. fiMi M76) YME U JM A ATTORNEYS Patented May 11, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINATION IRONING BOARD, STEP- LADDER, AND CHAIR 9 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a combination ironing board and chair.

A major object of the invention is to provide a combination ironing board and chair of simplified construction which is economical to manufacture and still is sturdy when used either as a chair or an ironing board.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide a combination ironing board and chair with a foldable ironing board which is held rigid in its horizontal position by a minimum of conveniently located braces.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide a combination ironing board and chair which is adjustable to different heights, so the ironing board may be used by a person either in sitting or standing position and the chair may be used as a conventional seat or as a childs high chair.

In the attainment of these objects, one feature of the invention resides in the hinged connection of the bottom of the main section of an ironing board to one side of the chair seat with a folding section of the ironing board hinged to the main section. When vertically disposed, the folding section overlies the main section to provide a chair back. When horizontally disposed, the main section is supported by the top surface of the chair seat and the folding section is alined with the main section. A suitable brace holds the folding section in proper position.

Another feature of the invention resides in the attachment of sliding extensions to the legs of the stool-like supporting base for the combination ironing board and chair. crosspieces connect pairs of these sliding extension and locking members are hinged to each other and to the crosspieces to retain the extensions extended below the legs and thereby raise the level of the ironing board or chair.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the foregoing specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is a front elevation of a combination ironing board and chair embodying the invention, the ironing board being shown in its horizontal position with the vertical position of the ironing board indicated in dotted lines;

Fig. 1a is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the hinged attachment of the main section of the ironing board to the chair seat;

Fig. 2 is a. vertical section of the combination ironing board and chair shown in Fig. l with the ironing board shown in its vertical position to serve as a chair back;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the combination ironing board and chair as seen from the righthand side of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the sliding brace which supports the folding section of the ironing board;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of a combination ironing board and chair illustrating a modified form of the invention with the ironing board shown in its horizontal position and the leg extensions shown in their extended positions with some parts broken away and others shown in section;

Fig. '7 is a side elevation of the combination ironing board and chair shown in Fig. #8 with the ironing board shown in its vertical position, the leg extensions shown in their retracted position, and auxiliary chair arms and back secured to the chair seat, some parts being broken away;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 8--B of Fig. '7; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view i1- lustrating the cross-sectional shape of the legs and the assembly of a step thereon.

Referring to Fig. l, the combination ironing board and chair is illustrated as having a stepladder base I I. This stepladder base has one pair of parallel legs [2 and 13 at one side and a second pair of parallel legs M and it at the other side, the legs of one pair diverging downwardly from the legs of the other pair. Legs l2 and it are connected by horizontal crosspieces l6 and I1 extending across the front of the base and legs l3 and iii are similarly connected by horizontal crosspieces l8 and is extending across the back of the base. At the right-hand side of the base, a step 2! is supported on top of the crosspieces l6 and is and a similar step 22 is supported on top of the crosspieces H and is. Extending across the right-hand side of the base beneath the steps 2| and 22 are step sup-ports 23 and 2 3. A similar support 25 extends between the legs 12 and i3 at their bottoms,

Supported on the tops of the four legs is a chair seat 26 having its right-hand side 21 substantially flush with the right-hand edges of the legs l2 and I3 and its left-hand side 23 extending outwardly beyond the edges of the legs I 3 and ii. If desired this chair seat may be covered with a seat pad 29. The seat is also supported by a crosspiece 3! extending between the legs [2 and M at their tops and a similar crosspiece 32 extending between the legs I3 and It at their tops. A box-like compartment 33 is supported by the legs and crosspieces below chair seat 29.

Attached by a hinge 34 to left-hand side 28 of the seat 26 is main section 35 of an ironing board. Hinge 34 is connected to the bottom surface of the main section near the central portion there- 01''. With this arrangement, main section 35 pivots on hinge 34 so it may assume a horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 1, where one end of the main section 35 rests flat upon the padding 29 on the top of seat 26, or be moved to a vertical position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. l and full lines in Fig. 2, where a part of the main section extends vertically upwardly from the lefthand edge of the seat 26. Connected to this upwardly extending part of the main section 35 by hinge 3'5 is a folding section 38 of the ironing board. When the ironing board is in its horizontal position, folding section 38 is moved into alinement with main section 35 and extends outwardly beyond the right-hand side of the base. To support folding section 38, a brace 39 slides between the top of compartment 33 and the bottom of the chair seat 26. Brace 33 has a tongue 4! held in position between the top of the compartment 33 and the bottom of the chair seat 26 by suitable spacers 62 and 43. Brace 33 has a supporting member 44 extending transversely across tongue 4!. This supporting member M is fiush with one side of tongue 4i and projects beyond the other side. When the ironing board is in its horizontal position, as seen in Fig. 1, spacers 42 and 43 with supporting member at extending upwardly to engage the bottom of folding section 38. When the ironing board is moved to its vertical position, as shown in Fig. 2, brace 39 is turned over so supporting member id extends downwardly. Then, tongue ii may be moved inwardly so supporting member 54 is flush with the right-hand edges of legs 52 and 13.

To retain the ironing board in its horizontal position, the edge of main section 35 which is connected by hinge 3'! to folding section 38 is connected to legs l2 and I3 by hook and eye connectors 45 and. 43. If desired, additional support may be provided for main section 35 by a folding leg 41 having its upper and lower sections 48 and 49 pivotally connected by hinge i, with upper section 48 connected by hinge 52 to the bottom of main section 35 of the ironing board. When the ironing board is in its vertical position, folding leg 47 is folded against the bottom of the board and retained by a. friction catch 53. Also, a friction catch 5% on the bottom of main section 35. of the ironing board engages a corresponding catch 54 on a cross-member 55 extending between legs I4 and E5 on top of cross pieces I! and i9. Each pair of mating friction catches may comprise inter-engaging male and female clip elements.

In order that compartment 33 may be used for storing an iron and other equipment it is provided with a door 56 connected by hinges 5?, 51, at one side of the front of the compartment. To accommodate folding leg 47 when the ironing board is in its vertical position, the lefthand side of the compartment 33 is provided with a central opening 58. Asupport member 43' extends beneath spacer 43 between legs [3 and i5, and adjacent the rear Wall portion of compartment 33, as shown at the right of Fig. 4. Member 43 aids in supporting member 43 and compartment 33 and serves to space the rear wall of compartment 33 transversely away from legs l3 and I5.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent. that the chair is of sturdy construction and the ironing board forms a back rest for the chair seat. The chair may be used either as a seat or as a stepladder. Also, when the ironing board is unfolded to its horizontal position, the board is supported by the entire top surface of seat 26 as well as supporting member 44 and brace 39 and folding leg 47.

In Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, there is shown a modified form of the invention. In this form, the combination ironing board and chair has a stepladder base with four legs BI, 62, 63 and 64. Legs 6i and 62 form one parallel pair and legs 63 and 54 form another parallel pair. The two parallel pairs of legs diverge downwardly. Legs 6| and 63 are joined by crosspiece 65 and legs 62 and 64 are joined by crosspiece 65. Steps 61 and 68 extend between legs SI and 62. A chair seat 69 is mounted on top of the legs.

At the lefthand side of chair seat $9 an ironing board has its main section II connected by a hinge 12. The hinge is attached to the bottom of the central portion of the main section II. The right-hand edge of main section 1! is connected by hinge 12 to folding section 73 of the ironing board. In this form of the invention, a brace 13 has one end connected by hinge 75 to the bottom of the central portion of folding section '53. The free end of brace 7 is arranged to rest upon the tread of step 68 where it is secured by a hook and eye connection l5. 'When in folded position, as indicated in Fig. 7, folding portion l3'of the ironing board and brace 14 merely hinge behind the chair back. The chair back formed by main section II is so arranged that it will be slightly inclined downwardly and inwardly to form a more comfortable back rest. If desired, an auxiliary chair back and armunit Ti may be placed upon the top of the chair seat 69 and secured by hook and eye connections (8, l8, as illustrated in'Fig. 7. In this form, a compartment ill is carried by the legs immediately below the chair seat 69 in a manner similar to.

that described in connection with the first form of the invention. A door 82 may be hinged on the front of the compartment.

As illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, each of the legs has a channel shaped cross-section. The open faces of the channels of the legs in parallel pairs face each other. As best seen inFig. 9, the steps, such as step 63, are fitted around the channels of the legs leaving trackwayswithin the channels. Slidable in the channel of leg 61 is a leg extension 83 which ismade to have a sliding, fit in the trackway of the channel; A similar leg extension 34 slides in the trackway of leg 62. These.

two extensions 82 and 84 are rigidly connected by a crosspiece 35.

On the other side of the combination ironing of these members has one end hinged at 9! to.

th other member. The remaining ends of the locking members 88 and 89 are respectively hinged.

at 9'2 and 93'to the crosspieces 85 and 86'. Thus,

when the leg extensions are extended beneath the bottoms of the legs, locking members88 and 83 are alined with each other and with the cross-- pieces to form a rigid brace'extending between.

the crosspieces 85 and 86'. Due to the downward divergence of the parallel pairs of legs, the parallel pairs of leg extensions must move toward each other to move upwardly. As lockin members 88 and 89 when alined as shown in Fig. 6 prevent such inward movement they thereby retain the le extensions in extended position.

For the purpose of retaining the ironing board in its vertical position, as illustrated in Fig. '7, a hook and eye connection 9| is arranged to lock the lower end of main section H to the locking member 89. When the ironing board is thus arranged to serve as a chair back, hook and eye connection 9 I also prevents downward movement of the leg extensions in the event the legs with their interfiitted leg extensions are raised above the floor.

Like the form of the invention first described, this modified form provides a sturdy yet simplified construction of a combination ironing board and chair. In addition, this modified form permits the ironing board to be raised to a level where it may conveniently be used by a person in a standing position. When the ironing board is in its horizontal position, main section II is supported over the entire top surface of padding 19 on chair seat 69. Folding section 13 is supported by engagement of brace 14 with step 68. In addition, both the main section H and the folding section 13 are retained in horizontal position by reason of the hook and eye connection 16 between the free end of brace 14 and step 68.

What is claimed is:

1. A combination ironing board and chair comprising a plurality of legs, a chair seat on the upper ends of said legs, an ironing board having a main section and a folding section, a hinge secured to one side of said chair seat and to the bottom of the central portion of said main section pivoting said main section to move between a vertical position forming a chair back and a horizontal position resting upon said chair seat, a hinge between said main and folding sections pivoting said folding section to move between a folded position overlying said main section and an extended position alined with said main section, and a brace for supportin said foldin seo tion, one end of said brace bein engaged with and supported by means between said legs, the opposite end of said brace bein engaged with said folding section to maintain said folding section in an extended position.

2. A combination ironing board and chair comprising a plurality of legs, a chair seat on the upper ends of said legs, a compartment supported by said legs below said seat and having a hinged door, an ironing board havin a main section and a foldin section, a hinge secured to one side of said chair seat and to the bottom of the central portion of said main section pivoting said main section to move between a vertical position formin a chair back and a horizontal position resting upon said chair seat, a hinge between said main and folding sections pivoting said folding section to move between a folded position overlying said main section and an extended position alined with said main section, and a brace for supporting said folding section, one end of said brace being engaged with and supported by means between said legs, the opposite end of said brace bein engaged with said folding section to maintain said foldin section in an extended position.

3. A combination ironing board and chair comprising a plurality of legs, a chair seat on the upper ends of said legs, an ironing board havin a main section and a folding section, a hinge secured to one side of said chair seat and to the bottom of the central portion of said main section pivoting said main section to move between a vertical position forming a chair back and a horizontal position resting upon said chair seat, a hinge between said main and folding sections pivoting said folding section to move between a folded position overlying said main section and an extended position alined with said main section, and a horizontally slidable brace supported by means between said legs beneath said chair seat movable to a position extendin from the side of said chair seat opposite the hinge thereon to engage the bottom of said folding section.

a. A combination ironing board and chair comprising a plurality of legs, a chair seat on the upper ends of said legs, an ironing board having a main section and a folding sction, a hinge secured to one side of said chair seat and to the bottom of the central portion of said main section pivoting said main section to move between a vertical position forming a chair back and a horizontal position resting upon said chair seat, a hinge between said main and folding sections pivoting said folding section to move between a folded position overlying said main section and an extended position alined with said main section, a horizontally slidable brace supported by means between said legs beneath said chair seat movable to a position extending from the side of said chair seat opposite the hinge thereon to engage the bottom of said foldin section, and a horizontally folding leg hinged on th bottom of said main section and arranged to engage the floor when said main section is horizontally disposed on said chair seat.

5. A combination ironing board, stepladder, and chair comprising a plurality of legs, step between adjacent legs, a chair seat on the upper ends of said legs, an ironin board having a main section and a folding section, a hinge secured to one side of said chair seat and to the bottom of the central portion of said main section pivoting said main section to move between a vertical position forming a chair back and a horizontal position resting upon said chair seat, a hinge between said main and folding sections pivoting said folding section to move between a folded position overlying said main section and an extended position alined with said main section, and a brace hinged at one of its ends to the bottom of said folding section, and means to hold the other end of said brace in engagement with one of said steps to support said folding section.

6. A combination ironing board, stepladder, and chair comprising a base havin a plurality of legs with steps extending between two adjacent legs, a chair seat on the upper ends of said legs, an ironing board having a main section and a folding section, a hinge secured to one side of said chair seat and to the bottom of the central portion of said main section pivoting said main section to move between a vertical position forming a chair back and a horizontal position resting upon said chair seat, a hinge between said main and folding sections pivoting said folding section to move between a folded position overlying said main section and an extended position alined with said main section, and a brace for supporting said folding section, one end of said brace being engaged with and supported by said base, the opposite end of said brace being engaged 7 with said folding section to maintain said foldin section in extended position.

7. A combination-ironing board, stepladder, and chair comprising a basev havinga plurality of legs with steps extending, between adjacent legs, a chair seat on the upperendofsaid legs, an ironing boardhaving a main section anda folding section, a hinge secured to one side of said chair seat and to the bottom of said central portion of said main section pivotin said'mainsection to move between a vertical position-forming a chair back and, a horizontal position restin upon said chair seat, av hinge'between said main and folding sections pivoting saidfolding section to move between a folded positionoverlyin said main section and'anextended position alined with said main section, and a brace hinged'at one of its ends to the bottom'of said folding. section, with means to' hold the other. end of said brace in engagement with one of said steps.

8. A combination ironing board, stepladder, and chair comprisinga base having a plurality of legs with steps extending between adjacent legs, a chair seat on the upper ends of said legs, a compartment carried by said legs beneath said chair seat and having a hinged door, an ironing board having amain section and a folding section, a hinge secured toone side of said chair seat and to the bottom of the central portion of said main section pivoting said main section to move between a vertical position forming a chair back and a horizontalposition resting upon said chair seat, a hinge between said main and folding sections pivoting said, foldin section to move between a folded position overlying said main sec.- tion and an extendedposition alined with said main section, and a brace for supporting said folding section, one end of said brace being enagedwith and-supported by said base, the opposite end of said, brace being engaged with said folding section to maintain said folding section inextended position.

9. A combination ironing board, stepladder, and chair. comprisin a stoolbase having four legs arranged in parallel pairs, one pair diverging downwardly from the other pair, extensions slidable along said legs to project beneath the bottoms .of said legs, an ironing board having a main section and a foldin section, a hinge secured to one side of said chair seat and to the bottom of the central portion of said main section pivoting said main section to move between a vertical position formin a chair back and a horizontal position resting upon said chair seat, a hinge between said main and folding sections pivoting said folding section to move between a folded position overlying said main section and an extended position alined with said main section, and a brace for supporting said folding section, one end of said brace being engaged with and supported by said base, the opposite end of said brace beingengaged with said folding section to maintain said folding section in extended position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,549,1 14 Messegee Aug. 11, 1925 1,787,108 I-Iartel Dec. 30, 1930 1,787,245 Graham Dec. 30, 1930 1,928,890 Haney Oct. 3, 1933 2,131,411 Nomar Sept. 27, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 14 ,346 Great Britain May 6, 1920 

